The Gothic period is usually seen as beginning in the middle of the 12th century and lasting until the 16th century, when the Renaissance was hitting its stride. But, of course, this was never the whole story, and Gothicisms, an exhibition at the Louvre-Lens (until 26 January), looks at how Gothic art never really went away. Here, the Louvre-Lens director Annabelle Ténèze, who has curated the show, focuses on five recently published books that help us get to grips with the Gothic.
Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paris: The Official History of the Restoration (2024) by Mathieu Lours
“Mathieu Lours, an architectural historian, pays tribute to the rebuilding of Notre-Dame after the devastating fire of 2019. He retraces the monument’s history, the extraordinary achievement of its original construction, and highlights the wide range of crafts and professions that contributed so effectively to its restoration. A fascinating story!”
The Gothic (2007) by Gilda Williams
“This anthology of texts explores the many ways in which the Gothic permeates contemporary art. From the writer Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein, to the visual artist Mike Kelley, with Andy Warhol along the way, these intersecting references reveal the breadth of the Gothic’s influence on contemporary visual culture. The anthology also shows how these figures laid the foundations for a new generation of artists, as well as fashion designers, television creators and video-game makers.“
Gothic Modern (2025) by Ralph Gleis
“This catalogue is as rich as the exhibition itself, on view at Vienna’s Albertina Museum (until 11 January), after being displayed in Finland and Norway. More than 200 works illustrate the influence of Gothic art on Modern artists at the close of the 19th century. The catalogue conveys the unique sense of creative effervescence that animated the period.”
The Middle Ages of the 19th Century: Creations and Forgeries in the Decorative Arts (2025) by Christine Descatoire and Frédéric Tixier
“I warmly recommend diving into the Musée de Cluny’s current exhibition catalogue (until 11 January). It explores how the Middle Ages were rediscovered and given a new interpretation in the 19th century, giving birth to many copies, pastiches and fakes. This ultimately shows how the Gothic has always been in style throughout history, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century and eventually 2025.”
Batman in Barcelona: Dragon’s Knight (2009) by Mark Waid and Diego Olmos
“Who were the first goth celebrities? The French actress Sarah Bernhardt and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein? Batman for sure is one them. The enigmatic superhero of Gotham City seems to be perfectly aware of this art. In this issue, he steps away from his home turf to lead readers through the Gothic architecture of Barcelona and the Sagrada Família. The cover of this comic neatly encapsulates the connection between the origins of Gothic and its enduring presence in pop culture.”
• Annabelle Ténèze and Florian Meunier, Gothiques, Éditions El Viso, 400pp, €39 (pb)
